I was trying to paint something 28 mm scale World War Two related for a quite a long time. Finally, my force of choice will be U.S. Marines from the Pacific Theatre of Operations. To test my paints and Warlord Games' plastic miniatures, I assembled two of them and painted them. The one marine visible next to this note is painted on the black undercoat. Camo is not really what I would like to achieve, I think basecoat green was too dark. More about painting will be written in the note with second test miniature, but let me tell you... Plastic Warlord Games' miniatures are great. Really, really great. They paint really good, they are in true 28 mm scale, flashless and with minimal mould lines. Lots of optional gear to glue on the mini too. Lots of fun.

Unfortunately, my photos suck... There is too much light in these photos I think, all blending of flesh tones and highlights of the uniform blouse are gone...

It is hard to imagine worse title of the note but - sorry - I won't try harder this time, I'm dead tired. So, to make things a little shorter. This is the last of the six commissioned riflemen by Perry bros. At the same time it is the miniature I like the most from the whole commissioned batch, sculptwise at least. All six miniatures of riflemen were better sculpted (and casted) then previously shown militiamen. Well, weapons were really bad too. But, despite my bitching, painting all of them was a real pleasure.Photos of all six riflemen are much bigger, you can see them in bigger size after clicking on them.

If you would like to commission painting of some miniatures - write to me.

When I'm not painting AWI miniatures I'm slowly working on my Black Legion's Land Raider. Actually, this model was started just after the kit was released, I think more then 15 years ago. I glued it back then (horribly, with many dreadful mistakes) so first thing to do was to correct what was still possible to correct... Well, some things have to stay as they are. Still lots of details to paint and glue but overall shape is finally visible...

piątek, 21 marca 2014

Przedostatni z malowanych rangerów z okresu Amerykańskiej Wojny o Niepodległość produkcji braci Perry. Jeden z dwóch najbardziej mi - osobiście - podobających się wzorów (oba zostawiłem na sam koniec). Fajna, dynamiczna poza, niezła rzeźba. I - co ważne - dobrze się malowało. Szkoda tylko, że pochylenie w przód niezwykle skutecznie utrudnia oświetlenie przodu figurki... lepiej już nie dałem rady.Podobnie jak pokazywane wcześniej miniaturki tego rodzaju, malowana na zamówienie.Second to last of the painted so far ranger from AWI period manufactured by Perry brothers. One of the two designs I like the most - both were saved to be shown last. Really nice, dynamic pose, nice sculpt. And - what is equally important - takes paint well. It's a pity that due to the figure being so leaned forward, it is so hard to properly show the face and front of the miniature. Well, I tried to do my best.As all miniatures from AWI period shown here on the blog so far, this one was painted as a commission too.

Fourth of the commissioned miniatures of American War of Independency rangers. This particular rifleman is dressed in a slightly different kind of hunting shirt, longer and probably requiring a waistbelt to fasten it closed. His all clothes and equipment are a mix of civilian and military items. One thing worth to note is his rifle - deadly in the hands of the skilled shooter. Unfortunately this weapon was unable to mount a bayonet, so in a proper battles units of riflemen were supported by musket armed units, which were able to fight in close combat more efficiently.

Other characteristical piece of American equipment from this era is the round hat. This kind of headgear was especially popular amongst militia and light units. It could be turned up on one side like on this miniature or could be weared flat. Sometimes it might have a feather or a bucktail tucked into the fold - you can see this here and here respectively.

After the short journey into the Middle-earth, Mormeg returns to the grim universe of Warhammer 40K. Heavy bolter gunner from his beloved Night Lords Legion. Painting is current Mormeg's standard for Lords of the Night, it was described few times already. I really like head of this soldier. I think it closely resembles terminator's fleshless skull, isn't it?

Forgive me this small delay and welcome to the 92nd issue of "Chosen from the week". I hope that you will find it interesting.

Pretty pictures:

- Let's start with a gallery of photos from the Third Fate Creations blog. Gallery shows Taurus APC by Puppets War. I really like how this vehicle is painted - realistic and - at the same time - really eye-catching. You can see Taurus next to the Polish-language part of this note.

- Kharn the Bloody - miniature recently released by FW, painted by Lil Loser. I especially like bareheaded version here.

- Well, Knights are a really hot topic right now. Slightly more then two weeks after the release, the Net is full of them. I don't really know how the people are able to paint so fast and really nice... But.. I decided to show just one finished example of the Knight, painted by C'tan. He painted his version in just few days and I think it is one of the better ones I've seen so far.

- James Wappell's miniatures weren't featured here lately so it is time to show something painted by this master painter. Finished unit of Empire Greatswords, painted in NMM technique.

- And last link in this part of the note - flickr gallery by jontlaw, with photos taken on the battlefields of grim, dark future (with some exceptions). One of these photos is visible next to the English part of this article.

Guides and tutorials:

- Let's go back to the Knight. Precisely speaking - into the cockpit of the Knight. John Stiening from 40K Hobby Blog has decided to add full cockpit to his model. Impressive.

- Warhammer Quest was a game published by Games Workshop in the mid nineties. Its digital version is currently available on Android and Apple devices but let's be honest - it doesn't have this magical feel... The Magnificent Bastards blog shows how to make your own version of the game. But with a twist - in full 3D.

- Two sides of the same coin. "Muskets & Tomahawks" game presented on two blogs. Here you can read and see version written by Yori, and here is Sowabud's relation. Really like the terrain and the miniatures.

As usual, I urge you to take a look at the past issues of the "Chosen from the week". Three years ago I published issue no 18th. Well, things look a little different now...

No "Chosen from the week" today, new part of this series will be posted tomorrow. Instead, I'd like to show another American rifleman from the War of Independence period. Perry Miniatures, of course. This one is slightly different, as it is cleary somone who just bite the bullet. Personally, I don't really like such miniatures, as they tend to clash with my mind's imaginary tabletop battlefield... Seeing the same "hit" figure running around takes away my immersion I guess. One thing is certain - sculptor did a fine job capturing supriese on the ranger's face. it's a pity that face is hidden in the hat's shadow. I really like how this range drops his weapon too.

This man wearing green hunting shirt and indigo blue leggins (hmm, some ancestor of the Levi Strauss maybe?) is a second American AWI ranger which I painted for a commission. All set of these armed with rifles men from the woods is, in my opinion, much funnier to paint then previously shown set of militiamen. This is, probably, due to better casting and sculpting (weapons still suck unfortunately) and better poses. They are not overly dynamic maybe but I think they look good on the table.Leather sack on the back of the miniature was especially carefully painted - small bonus for a person who ordered miniatures:) Sack was used as a kind of excercise in painting weathered old leather.

Below all photos of the green rifleman you will find a small teaser of the thing I'm working on for myself currently.